Bus from Santa Teresa to Manuel Antonio
Shared shuttle + ferry · ~4 hours · $55–$70 USD · Daily
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The Santa Teresa → Manuel Antonio shuttle connects two of the central Pacific's most popular beach destinations in a single relaxed morning. Both sit on the same coast, but the Gulf of Nicoya lies between them, so the practical route runs by ferry and the Costanera coastal highway rather than any direct road. Doing it by public bus would mean a ferry ticket plus changes in Puntarenas and Quepos; the shared shuttle bundles hotel pickup, the ferry, and a door-to-door drop-off near Manuel Antonio instead.
Spring Bus connects you to the operators running this coastal corridor, including Interbus, Gray Line Costa Rica, Easy Ride, Tropical Tours Shuttle and Monkey Ride. Expect an air-conditioned minibus, an English-speaking driver, and the Gulf of Nicoya crossing typically folded into the fare. The single daily departure usually leaves Santa Teresa around 8:30 AM to make the ferry and reach Manuel Antonio by early afternoon, so book ahead and reconfirm your pickup the night before.
Route details: Santa Teresa to Manuel Antonio
Travel time
4 h
Distance
150 km
Typical fare
$55 – $70 USD per person
Frequency
Daily (1 morning departure)
First departure
Approx. 8:30 AM
Last departure
Approx. 1:00 PM
Operators on this route
Interbus · Gray Line Costa Rica · Easy Ride · Tropical Tours Shuttle · Monkey Ride
Pickup at Santa Teresa
Door-to-door pickup at hotels and surf hostels along Santa Teresa's main beach road
Drop-off at Manuel Antonio
Door-to-door drop-off at hotels along the Quepos–Manuel Antonio road
About the journey
This transfer links two of Costa Rica's favorite Pacific hubs — the surf town of Santa Teresa and the rainforest-meets-beach destination of Manuel Antonio. The shuttle starts up the dusty southern Nicoya Peninsula road through Cóbano to Paquera, where it boards the Gulf of Nicoya ferry for the roughly 70-minute crossing to Puntarenas. From there the route follows the Costanera (coastal highway, Route 34) south down the central Pacific coast, passing river estuaries, palm plantations and glimpses of the ocean before reaching Quepos and the lush hills above Manuel Antonio. Compared with the long hauls to Arenal or Monteverde, this is a shorter and more relaxed coastal run, trading dry tropical forest on the peninsula for the humid, wildlife-rich greenery around Manuel Antonio National Park. The combination of a quick ferry hop and a breezy coastal drive makes it an easy half-day move between two surf-and-sand favorites.
Travel tips for Santa Teresa → Manuel Antonio
- Take the morning departure — Santa Teresa's single daily shuttle leaves around 8:30 AM to catch the ferry, so plan an early start and confirm your pickup window.
- Confirm the ferry fare is included — most operators bundle the Gulf of Nicoya crossing, but ask at booking so you aren't caught out at Paquera.
- Sit on the right for ocean views — heading south on the Costanera highway, the Pacific appears on the right side for much of the coastal stretch.
- Keep insect repellent reachable — Manuel Antonio is humid rainforest, so you'll want it as soon as you arrive near the park.
- Pack light and breathable clothing — both ends of this route are hot and humid Pacific coast, with little of the cool highland air found on other transfers.
- Book ahead in high season (December–April) — with one daily departure on this popular beach-to-beach link, seats sell out quickly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the shuttle from Santa Teresa to Manuel Antonio take?
Expect **about 4 hours door-to-door**, including the **Gulf of Nicoya ferry** (roughly 70 minutes) and the coastal drive south on the Costanera highway. It's one of the shorter Santa Teresa transfers, since both towns sit on the central Pacific coast.
How much does the shuttle from Santa Teresa to Manuel Antonio cost?
Shared shuttle fares run **about $55–$70 USD per person**, usually with the **Gulf of Nicoya ferry** included. The exact price varies by operator and season, so confirm what's bundled when you book.
What time do shuttles depart from Santa Teresa?
There's typically **one daily departure around 8:30 AM**, timed to make the Paquera ferry and reach Manuel Antonio by early afternoon. As a single morning service, reserve by the day before to secure your seat.
Does the route include a ferry?
Yes. The shuttle crosses the **Gulf of Nicoya by ferry** between **Paquera and Puntarenas**, about a 70-minute sailing. The minibus boards the ferry, you ride on deck, then continue in the same vehicle south along the Costanera highway toward Manuel Antonio.
Is the shared shuttle better than public buses?
For most travelers, **yes**. The public route means a separate ferry ticket plus bus changes in Puntarenas and Quepos. The shared shuttle bundles the **ferry**, hotel pickup and drop-off, and a single coastal ride into one easy half-day transfer.
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